Pulborough Pub offers ‘free drinks’ for charity

A Pulborough pub that has been closed due to severe flooding will open for one day this month to raise money to commemorate an employee who was killed last year.

The White Hart at Stopham Bridge in Pulborough has been closed since Christmas 2013 due to devastating floods, but owner Chris Sinfield said he wants to re-open on April 19 for one day.

The plan is to raise money to build an enchanted garden at Lodge Hill in Pulborough in memory of Jenny Hossack, 27, who was an employee at the pub.

“We’ve got stock that we wouldn’t be able to use come the relaunch in May because of the sell-by-date. So we want to offer a free drink to everyone for a donation,” said Chris.

The Enchanted Garden will be a musical sensory fairy tale tree with calming equipment, particularly for those with profound disability, as well as a magical place for children up to seven years and is expected to cost around £10,000.

So far £3,000 is in the pot, but fundraising was temporarily placed on hold after the pub suffered a flood.

Miss Hossack, from Kingsfold, died after she was knocked down by a drink-driver on Codmore Hill near Pulborough last September.

Chris said: “Jenny was an extremely generous and totally unique person. Many of our regulars would simply come to the pub to see her knowing that regardless of what sort of day they had she would always bring a smile, a warmth and a genuineness that is just so rare today.

“One of her primary passions was music. She was instrumental in setting up our monthly open mic nights and her spot with playing the ukulele was always greatly anticipated.”

The pub was recently included in a case study for 10 Downing Street by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The White Hart is set to re-open permanently in May time.

The ‘free drink’ fundraiser will take place at the White Hart at Stopham Bridge pub, Stopham Road, Pulborough, RH20 1DS, on April 19, 11am to 6pm - all welcome.